Abstract: A flow control apparatus includes a pressure regulator fluidly coupled to an inlet region and an outlet region and configured to reduce a pressure from a first value in the inlet region to a second value in the outlet region, where the second value is lower than the first value; and a variable area orifice disposed between the outlet region and an outlet opening of the apparatus, wherein a flow rate of a gas is controlled by the variable area orifice and is discharged from the apparatus to a gas supply line. A free area of the variable area orifice that is disposed between a movable element and a surface of the variable area orifice is configured to change linearly in response to a translation of the movable element relative to the surface.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus includes an adjustable pressure regulator fluidly coupled to an inlet region and an outlet region and configured to reduce a pressure from a first value in the inlet region to a second value in the outlet region, where the second value is lower than the first value; and a fixed area orifice disposed between the outlet region and an outlet opening of the apparatus, wherein a flow rate of a gas is controlled by the fixed area orifice and is discharged from the apparatus to a gas supply line. The second value is based on a setting of the adjustable pressure regulator.

Abstract: An ambulatory assist ventilation (AA V) apparatus and system are disclosed for the delivery of a respiratory gas to assist the spontaneous breathing effort of a patient with a breathing disorder. The AA V system includes a compressed respiratory gas source, a respiratory assist device for controlling respiratory gas flow to the patient, a patient circuit tubing and a low profile nasal interface device, which does not have a dead space or hollow area where C02 can collect, for delivering the respiratory gas to the patient, wherein the nasal interface device is fluidly connected to the respiratory assist device via tubing for receiving the respiratory gas therefrom.

Abstract: An ambulatory assist ventilation (AA V) apparatus and system are disclosed for the delivery of a respiratory gas to assist the spontaneous breathing effort of a patient with a breathing disorder. The AA V system includes a compressed respiratory gas source, a respiratory assist device for controlling respiratory gas flow to the patient, a patient circuit tubing and a low profile nasal interface device, which does not have a dead space or hollow area where C02 can collect, for delivering the respiratory gas to the patient, wherein the nasal interface device is fluidly connected to the respiratory assist device via tubing for receiving the respiratory gas therefrom.

Abstract: A ventilator is configured to assist a user with breathing, while eliminating the need for extraneous sensors and tubing normally found in prior art ventilators. The ventilator relies on a predetermined relationship between a measurable quantity associated with a compressed gas and the maximum pressure of that compressed gas upon delivery to the user. The measurable quantity may be mass flow rate of the compressed gas or pressure within a delivery lumen used to transport the compressed gas, among others. Based on the predetermined relationship, the control logic within the ventilator determines whether the pressure of compressed gas delivered to the user exceeds a maximum allowable pressure. When the maximum pressure is exceeded, the control logic initiates corrective action to reduce the pressure of the compressed gas.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator is configured to provide oxygen at either lower pressures or higher pressures. When providing low pressure oxygen, the disclosed oxygen concentrator may be used with a conventional, low pressure oxygen delivery device, such as an oxygen cannula or mask, that is configured to deliver oxygen at approximate source pressures of 5 psig to 8 psig. When providing high pressure oxygen, the disclosed oxygen concentrator may be used with a high pressure oxygen delivery device, such as a low profile nasal cannula, that is configured to deliver oxygen at higher pressures. The disclosed oxygen concentrator is configured to automatically select whether low pressure oxygen or high pressure oxygen should be output to the user based on the type of connector used to couple a delivery device thereto, or based on characteristics of the delivery device itself.